RT: Syrian Army recaptures Palmyra, aided by Russian Air Force – Kremlin
The Syrian military, backed by the Russian Air Force, has completed its operation to liberate the key city of Palmyra from militants, Kremlin has announced.
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has reported to the commander-in-chief, President Vladimir Putin, that the historic city in Syria’s Homs province has been liberated, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
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More News On The Syrian Army Backed By The Russia Air Force Recapturing Palmyra From The Islamic State
Syrian army says it has recaptured Palmyra from Islamic State -- Reuters
Syria army retakes ancient Palmyra from IS -- AFP
Syrian army re-enters town of Palmyra as IS defenses crumble -- Washington Post/AP
Russia-Backed Syrian Army Completely Liberates Palmyra From Daesh -- Sputnik
Syrian troops 'recapture Palmyra from Isil' for second time -- The Telegraph
Isis driven out of ancient Syrian city of Palmyra for second time -- The Independent
Kremlin says Syrian forces regain Palmyra -- L.A. Times
Syrian forces re-enter Roman-era city of Palmyra -- USA Today
ISIL pulls back from Palmyra -- Al Jazeera
Syria's ancient Palmyra, symbol of jihadist destruction -- AFP
Tanks & muzzle flash: Syrian special ops filmed on Palmyra outskirts [RT EXCLUSIVE] -- RT
I wasn't even aware that the Islamic State regained control over Palmyra...good to see the U.S working with Russia...Unfortunate that Palmyra is probably rubble right now thanks to bombings/Isis... https://mobile.twitter.com/charliearchy/status/837370521679384578?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
ReplyDeleteSean Austin:
ReplyDeleteThe town itself is not in rubble, because even if it changed hands 4th time during the last 2-3 years, the intensity of fighting inside the urbanised areas were minimal, only the 2nd time was noticeable. The airstrike of recent times - as far as I know - hit mostly surrounding positions, such as the Airbase on the east, and IS destruction was limited to historical objects. About the US "involvement" in the battle, it's a nice spot, and it's only the "UNCLASSIFIED" reports we seen, not the real amount.
About the whole recapture of Tadmur, I do not see as much value in it than what is being reported. It's a gain, and a seemingly significant one, and it is a position that will be in great use for further operations, but the recapture itself just isn't that big of a news. IS retreated, and was not defeated here. This operation is just a part, or semi-result of the months long series of operations, that started with a retreat to T4, and I see the biggest success happened right when SAA retreated, and was able to build up, instead of the recapture of an evacuated, empty city. This should not take away any fame from the recapture, but the real part of it happened weeks and months ago.
However the battle is not over yet, and I may not see an imminent IS counter-attack likely to happen, but as long as SAA does not secure the surrounding of Tadmur ( I mostly mean to the Northern areas) it's just creating the same situation as we had last year and the year before that. I find it important to note, that SAA was able to have multiple ongoing and successful operation at the same time, such as Al-Bab, Tadmur and even Wadi Barada, and seems the peace-talks saved valuable time for SAA to use their forces better, in other frontlines. Oh and when I say SAA, I also mean the RU advisers and fighting forces, just as much as the large batch of new T62 tanks that arrived from Russia, and being operated by Syrians, because their part were very significant.